Intern Opportunities with Fairfax County Park Authority

THE INTERN PROGRAM

The Fairfax County Park Authority is proud of its ability and
opportunity to provide a variety of intern programs for individuals
seeking on-the-job experience in all aspects of Park Authority
operations. The agency intern program boasts a well-established history
dating back to the 1960's. The program has changed throughout the
years, growing and adapting to meet the ever-changing needs of the park
and recreation profession. There is no limit to the number of
interns accepted, though summer numbers tend to run from 20-35.
The selected number of interns is based on staff available to
supervise, available challenging work, and qualifications of the
interns.

The Park Authority offers internships in a sincere effort to provide a
quality, diversified program in which students from a wide variety of
educational disciplines have the opportunity to apply traditional
academic classroom learning to actual work experience within the Park
Authority, in order to develop personal and professional skills for
future career development and placement.

TYPES OF INTERNSHIPS

The Park Authority offers four categories of internships within most
of its five divisions of operation. The categories of internships are
as follows:

UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE

An internship which is required by a university or college to obtain
an undergraduate or graduate degree in a chosen field.
In order to qualify for this type of internship, you must:

Hold a junior or senior standing in a four year degree program, be
enrolled in the last semester of a two year degree program, or be
enrolled in the second half of a graduate program.
Have a major grade point average of at least 2.0 (3.0 graduate
GPA).
Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
Have strong initiative and the ability to work independently.
Follow FCPA outlined application process;
follow all FCPA applicable policies and procedures.
Meet division specified qualifications.

TRADE/VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS

Applicant must be enrolled in educational training, leading to
certification in a specific technical service, trade or skill. In order
to qualify for this type of internship, applicants must meet the
division specified qualifications.

In order to qualify for this type of internship, you must meet the
division specified qualifications.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

An internship for individuals seeking hands-on experience in a field
related to their academic training, and/or re-entering the field after
a period of absence. Included may be those university/college students
wishing an internship for experience, but which is not required to
obtain a degree. This type of internship request is usually considered
on a case-by-case basis, and is not offered in every division.
Undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students are eligible.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

FCPA CONTACT PERSON

The FCPA contact person is the Intern Program Coordinator,
Diane Roteman.

SUPERVISION

Following initial contact with the agency, the Intern
Program Coordinator will refer you to the division of your choice.
You will be referred to the Division Intern Contact who will be
responsible for your interview, hire, placement, training, assignment,
and evaluation.

LENGTH OF INTERNSHIPS

Depending on the type of internship and the division in which it is
being held, most internships run 10 weeks or 400 hours.

PAY

Internships are unpaid.

TRANSPORTATION

The applicant is required to have their own means of transportation in
order to get to and from work. Intern assignments occasionally require
varying work schedules throughout the County. The applicant may
be required to utilize their personal vehicle to conduct agency
business.

ORIENTATION

A structured orientation program will be provided to interns during
their first few weeks on the job. A meeting with senior managers and
the Park Authority Board will be scheduled.

PROJECTS/REPORTS/EVALUATION

Depending on your type of internship, you will most likely be required
to complete a special project, weekly reports, and a final exit
briefing or presentation. You will be provided with a written and
verbal evaluation of your performance by your immediate supervisor.

SHARED BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM

STUDENT BENEFITS

The Park Authority intern program affords each intern opportunities
for both career enhancement and personal growth. These benefits
include:

Resume Building:
Park Authority Internships provide the experience and benefit of
having worked for an award winning organization with a nationally known
and respected reputation.

Results Oriented Work Experience:
The program is structured to provide each student with a visible end
product and a sense of pride and accomplishment, as well as an
important building block for your resume.

AGENCY BENEFITS

The Park Authority believes an intern program should be mutually
beneficial to both the student and the organization. Our intention is
to provide students with an experience that fosters both professional
growth and self-expression. In return, we expect you to have good core
work habits – strong communication skills, a demonstrated ability to
effectively complete assignments and knowledge which is sufficient to
adequately carry out and complete your internship project. FCPA can
benefit from your enthusiasm and project support which allows us to
accomplish tasks that may not otherwise receive timely completion.